QATAR AIRWAYS HAILED BEST BUSINESS CLASS IN THE WORLD

Airline Wins Three Accolades At Skytrax Awards During Paris Air Show

Qatar Airways Voted Best For Airline Staff Service In Middle East For Second Year Running

Doha International Airport Boasts Best Business Class Lounge In World

18 Jun 2013

Paris Air Show, FRANCE – Qatar Airways took home three honours at the annual Skytrax 2013 World Airline Awards held during the Paris Air Show at Le Bourget today.

The airline was awarded World’s Best Business Class, World’s Best Business Class Lounge and, for the second consecutive year, Best Airline Staff Service in the Middle East.

A proud Qatar Airways Chief Executive Officer Akbar Al Baker is presented with the Skytrax 2013 Best Business Class In The World award by CNN International anchor Richard Quest, flanked by cabin crew, at the Paris Air Show today. Qatar Airways won a total of three Skytrax World Airline awards this year.

Qatar Airways CEO Akbar Al Baker is pictured with cabin crew after winning Skytrax’s Best Airline Staff Service in the Middle East award during the Paris Air Show at Le Bourget today.

The World Airline Awards are a global benchmark of airline excellence. Skytrax is the only global independent passenger survey monitoring airline standards and is considered the ultimate testament for excellence in the airline industry. Travellers from over 160 countries take part each year in the world’s largest airline passenger satisfaction survey to decide the award winners.

“These awards are highly rewarding as they are judiciously voted by passengers – a true account of the overall experience felt by customers who have travelled with the airline,” said Qatar Airways Chief Executive Officer Akbar Al Baker, speaking after the awards ceremony.

“A notable highlight is that these accolades reflect every touch point for our premium and economy class passengers through our ground service and inflight experience,” he said.

“The recognition for end-to-end superior service quality is a reflection of Qatar Airways’ commitment to being a Five Star carrier in every capacity.”

In 2010, Qatar Airways took home the Best Business Class In The World title for the first time, followed by the coveted Airline of the Year award in 2011 and 2012.

The airline’s exclusive Premium Terminal dedicated to its First and Business Class passengers at Doha International Airport continues to excel in the international arena since opening in 2006. With excellent features, the terminal is the world’s first stand-alone airport facility dedicated to premium travellers.

In Paris to collect the Skytrax awards, Qatar Airways Chief Executive Officer Akbar Al Baker said that employees were the true heroes behind the awards, with their dedication and commitment taking the airline to its winning status today.

“I am extremely proud of the people behind these awards – our highly service-oriented staff that takes each passenger experience as their own, and redefine travel as the art form that it is, a memorable experience to be remembered and treasured,” he added.

“We would like to thank our passengers for their continued support for choosing to fly with Qatar Airways. Amid the fierce competition that is out there globally, we recognise that you count on us to deliver on our Five Star promise each and every time you fly with us.

“The airline goes to great lengths to consider passenger convenience and comfort at every step of their journey, and we are pleased that these efforts have not gone unnoticed.”

Qatar Airways CEO Akbar Al Baker is pictured with award winners from members of the oneworld alliance, which the Doha-based airline is expected to officially join by the end of the year. Qatar Airways won a total of three Skytrax World Airline awards this year.

Coinciding with the air show, Qatar Airways recently increased its service frequency to Paris to triple daily from the beginning of this month. Additional capacity upgrades for the remainder of the network are also being introduced soon.

The Doha-based airline, one of the fastest growing in the world, has seen rapid growth in just 16 years of operations, currently flying a modern fleet of 125 aircraft to 128 key business and leisure destinations across Europe, Middle East, Africa, Asia Pacific and The Americas.

Qatar Airways has so far launched six destinations this year – Gassim (Saudi Arabia), Najaf (Iraq), Phnom Penh (Cambodia), Chicago (USA), Salalah (Oman) and Basra (Iraq) – the latter started on June 3.Over the next few months, the network will expand with the addition of further destinations – Sulaymaniyah, Iraq (August 20), Chengdu, China (September 3), Addis Ababa, Ethiopia (September 18), Clark International Airport, Philippines (October 27) and Philadelphia, USA (2 April 2014).

Qatar Airways currently has orders worth over US$50 billion for more than 250 aircraft, including Boeing 787s, 777s, Airbus A350s, A380s and A320 Family of aircraft. In October 2012, Qatar Airways became the first of the major Gulf carriers to officially announce plans to join a global alliance having been invited into the oneworld group. For more information, visit www.qatarairways.com

Get great offers – Subscribe to Qatar Airways Newsletter

Planning your next holiday or business travel? Let us send the best fares, offers and news from world's 5-star airline directly to your inbox.